Welcome to the first edition of our brand new newsletter – The News Channel!

October 26th, 2015 / C&T Matrix

In the coming months we will be bringing you industry news, product focus, technical articles and special discount packages on a variety of our products.

At C&T, we are very proud of our heritage and the historical values of the CHANNEL brand of products. We are a UK manufacturer, based in Wellingborough and employ over 50 people in our purpose built factory and warehouse. As the original inventor and patent holder of the self locating creasing matrix, we hold decades of experience in the production of matrix and over the years have developed new, revolutionary ranges such as Corrugate, Jazz, Pink and of course our range of ejector rubbers.At C&T, customer service and technical support are our priorities. Please feel free to contact any member of our team to discuss your requirements.

Technical Focus

Forthcoming issues of The News Channel we examine trends and developments in our industry covering all of the challenges from Print Finishing, Printing, Folding Carton and Corrugated.

In this edition, we are focussing on the corrugated industry. Traditionally we could have categorised this product into two market segments – brown box and printed flexo. Times have changed as the technology within the field of corrugated has moved on. We now see direct print, litho-laminated to fine flutes as well as big improvements in flexo print quality. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish the flexo from litho as the solids on flexo are now deeper.

However, the sharpness of image from litho still has the edge. Talking to one of my customers who is a supplier to the Whisky industry he would argue he can print flexo and match what comes off a litho press. So how has this affected the market? The simple answer is that we have to consider corrugated within its own specialist field: direct print, litho-lam and brown box.

The challenge has been to obtain a consistent substrate. Recycled pulp is now used in liners, the gsm used in liners has gradually reduced and there is constant price pressure. Now you don’t even need to hold it up to the light to see yesterday’s edition of the Telegraph! All of this has made it difficult to achieve a good quality, consistent raw material.

Trying to achieve a consistent flute from corrugators who working in different operational conditions and with differing starch and moisture contents is just the start of a very technical process. Imagine trying to control print and die cutting quality, let alone how it performs on the folder gluer or even on the final end-users packaging machines. Part of what we offer at C&T Matrix is die cutting, design expertise that at least gives you consistency within die cutting flat bed or rotary. Working with our clients to enhance quality.

ABOUT C&T MATRIX

C&T Matrix manufactures a world renowned range of specialist products primarily for the print and packaging industries, which we have developed closely with our customers for over 15 years. Precision engineering and a diverse range of brands ensure efficient performance whatever your needs.